Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Miki has served in heat," he protests. "But not for some time."

"He had to hire a whore for his most recent," gossips Ari with a smirk.

Miki jumps to his feet. "That's not my fault!"

[Bethany]

"What's wrong with whores?" Bethany asks sharply.

[GamesMaster]

"Most prefer to have someone they care for during their heat, rather than hiring help," says Don, playing peacemaker. 

[Bethany]

"...fair," Bethany allows after a soft huff. She offers Ari a quick smile to show she's not really upset, then looks back at Miki. "I just think you should ease back. You come on too strong and it scares people off."

[GamesMaster]

"Too... strong?" he asks, puzzled.

[Bethany]

"Okay, how about this: when you want to con someone, a tourist or something, to buy a fake elixir, how do you do it?" Bethany asks, thinking of ploys the Bandanas have pulled in the past.

[GamesMaster]

Miki stares at her. "Uh. I usually tell them how great it is?"

"He badgers them into buying it, in other words," Ari points out. 

[Bethany]

"Have you ever watched Don do the same con?" Bethany asks slowly. "Or Ari for that matter."

[GamesMaster]

Miki shakes his head. 

[Bethany]

Beth glances at Don, lips pursed. "Don... sell me something," she nudges him.

[GamesMaster]

Don takes the opportunity to demonstrate for Miki, catching on to her plan; over the course of the next hour or so, he and Ari demonstrate the tactic of the soft sell for the poor boy, who doesn't quite understand, but does his best anyway. 

It's a nice visit, really. Pleasant. All in all, a lovely distraction. By early evening, having gotten word from Carver, Beth finds a chance to slip away and sit on the roof with Don, watching the sunset -- a great time to talk about the things on her mind.

[Bethany]

Well, after they kiss for a few minutes. Okay, ten minutes. "I... ugh, we need to..." Bethany pulls away a bit, taking deep gulps of air. "Really like your tongue," she mutters, shivering a bit, her mind helpfully musing on how it would feel elsewhere.

[GamesMaster]

"I'm glad." Don smirks, reaching up to stroke her cheek. "My heat is in three weeks."

[Bethany]

Bethany nods, blushing a bit. "I... I've actually been... working on that," she says, glancing away. "If- oh. I- ummm. I never asked or...do you... even..."

[GamesMaster]

He sighs, pulling back his paw. "I know you cannot be there. I was only teasing."